tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300800812219823623.post6646398159338523410..comments2014-11-08T08:47:36.797-05:00Comments on Old Creek Montessori: Craziness!Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155397671949446834noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300800812219823623.post-11396158546657785112012-09-29T09:41:14.765-04:002012-09-29T09:41:14.765-04:00I know this post is older, but I thought I'd r...I know this post is older, but I thought I'd respond anyway, because it is a common question :) <br /><br />Montessori is "freedom with responsibility" - and children can and SHOULD be involved in imaginative play such as re-creating otherwise "real"-like situations (zoos, etc). <br /><br />Montessori classrooms should NOT have these areas set up because this is precisely the sort of "work" that should be happening at home (or in a before/after school care room at the Montessori school). <br /><br />However, the limit/responsibility here is that things need to be put away when done. Period. Yes, some projects can be left out (it took hours to build a fort and they'll come back to it - that's fine to leave out), but NOTHING should be left to be stepped out, or left wanting (I need my pans for cooking, so they can no longer be helmets when the play is done! ;) ). <br /><br />I like the previous commenters statement about the mats - and if a child needs a bigger mat, he/she can put two or more side by side to make the space bigger. Some work, though, is not appropriate for mats, so this judgment should be placed in the hands of the adult until the child has has enough experience to begin judging for oneself. <br /><br />Jessica - Keys of the Universehttp://montessoritrails.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300800812219823623.post-41747544529401985032010-07-21T14:33:54.607-04:002010-07-21T14:33:54.607-04:00Thanks, I like your comment. It is encouraging to...Thanks, I like your comment. It is encouraging to hear that other people have taken a hard line on keeping things in their place. I take a hard line on so many things, I wasn't sure about this. But it certainly does disrupt our house. Thanks again!Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155397671949446834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300800812219823623.post-46235344224639183242010-07-19T16:39:31.998-04:002010-07-19T16:39:31.998-04:00We too have a tiny house (and no basement to speak...We too have a tiny house (and no basement to speak of) so I completely understand your dilemma. I will tell you what we have done, take what you can, toss the rest ;)<br /><br />1. We have Rubbermaid bins for toys (one bin for dress-up, one bin for puzzles & blocks, one bin for little people and parts, etc.). Only one bin is allowed out at a time. You must put all toys back in with the lid before being allowed another bin. Oh, and we control the bins--they are kept in our closet and we take them out as needed. We also have a shelf in our coat closet by the entryway that holds games, legos, and other boxed items. You can only have one item out at a time. <br /><br />2. If a child chooses building/role play type toys such as legos, tinker toys, farm set, then they must roll out a a mat (ours are appx. 3'x 4') and keep the the items on the mat. Once again, it must be put away before playing with something OR someone else. Sometimes my son wants to leave it out to show the Mr. when he gets home but I have held a hard line on that. If it's 5min before my husband is going to get home, fine. If not, it must be put away or no other toys or even imaginative play will be happening.<br /><br />3. And our thoughts on imaginative play is--it's fine but if indeed you want to use your imagination, then use IT not every item in the house. If you need every item in the house to create your imaginary zoo, then you are not very good at using your imagination. <br /><br />Perhaps this seems a bit off-putting to some, but like I said, our house is tiny (900sq ft) with 4 people (soon to be 5), 1 dog, and 1 cat. We don't have the room to give in to every whim. Learning that there must be order to make everyone comfortable, not just yourself, is a VERY important lesson to learn.<br /><br />Hope you got something useful out of that :)Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10253481685566828717noreply@blogger.com